July 16, 2012

Antawn Jamison chooses Lakers over Bobcats

LAS VEGAS – The Charlotte Bobcats have lost out on free agent Antawn Jamison, who will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Observer has learned.

The Bobcats were recruiting free agent Jamison as both a power forward and a veteran mentor to a young team. Jamison was torn between the chance to play for his hometown team or to pursue a championship with what figures to be his last NBA contract.

The Brooklyn Nets were also in the running for the two-time All-Star who played forProvidence High before starring at North Carolina.

The Bobcats are still pursuing Kris Humphries and Carl Landry in free-agency, to address the power forward position.

I guess that stuff about wanting to be with his kids and finishing his career at home was just to flatter Charlotte. LA is about as far away from home as you can get! Good luck trying to get past OKC and San Antonio, LA isn't winning a title anytime soon

Posted by: jrguyiii | Jul 16, 2012 7:59:56 PM

This guy should never make another comment about how important his family is. Same money and the ability to be close to his family? That is the ultimate in selfishness. The Bobcats dodged a bullet. He is not even a team guy when his family is involved.

Posted by: Spiderman | Jul 16, 2012 8:11:26 PM

this is what happens when you zero in on one particular player and wait out their decision. if jaimison really wanted to play here, he should have committed to the team early on. missed out on hickson who could have been had for a reasonable price. no panic now as there will be some other possibilities towards the beginning of the season when teams find their rosters overloaded at certain positions. humphries would be a good pick up for the future but it's not so certain with landry who has been a backup his entire career. what about utah for jefferson or millsaps for trade? jefferson is expensive but utah wants to give kantner playing time. big al would be a superstar here. in the meantime really don't want to see mullens launching three pointers which puts him nowhere in offensive rebounding position. nor do not want to see walker putting up globetrotter shots either. guess with the roster at full limit, there's no one on the summer league team that has a chance to make the team. really don't think higgins should take a slot that could be filled for a need position; keep an eye on the rockets once they realize they're not getting howard. they have a roster of mismash players not designed for a team and will have to make moves to correct the situation.

Posted by: fan | Jul 16, 2012 8:17:37 PM

Well! Well! This sucks....Antawn Jamison disappointed Charlotte, but he'll also be disappointed because the Lakers aren't going to win a championship now. I knew long time that this guy was just playing with words and emotions....if he wanted to play for the cats, no need to have waited this long to disappoint fans, who would have love to see him play here. Well, time will tell.

Jamison is a terrible father, leaving his gradeschool children to be on a team with ZERO chance at beating SA, OKC, or the Heat? Forget him I don't want him for the Cats anyways.

Posted by: Michael | Jul 16, 2012 8:45:08 PM

Glad to see others (me being a UNC fan too) feel the same way about Jamison not only did he play for UNC but he is from Charlotte and lives here. He could of said "look no chance I go to Charlotte" and fans would of been like best of luck to you Jamison. Instead he goes on a tirade claiming he wants to be with his kids, closer to home, he has always wanted to play for Charlotte, and etc SMH. Really disappointed in Jamison and it is a shame when people do that to their home towns (Lebron anyone or how about Wall choosing to play outside of Carolina).

Posted by: JP | Jul 16, 2012 8:51:18 PM

I'd take the chance at a championship and laker legacy and beating out Adam Morrison for the top spot in Charlotte! if I were family though, I'd feel real small in his eyes.

Posted by: altheus | Jul 16, 2012 8:51:29 PM

Lol hes a terrible father? You sir, are a complete idiot.

Posted by: Jason Warren | Jul 16, 2012 8:54:49 PM

Good Luck in being the worst franchise in the NBA

Posted by: Lala Mike | Jul 16, 2012 8:55:04 PM

Honestly Morrison doesn't play here anymore a kid named MKG does and you will know that name and Taylor soon enough. If you turn down this state and claim to love it we will show you the bird as well. We raise HELL IN THE CAROLINAS.

Posted by: JP | Jul 16, 2012 8:55:47 PM

Man thats crazy to talk about a guy because he wanted to play for another team. To say hes no family man thats crazy. Maybe he is doing this for his family. Who knows what his family has talked about behind close doors. Come On Man.

Posted by: arthur | Jul 16, 2012 9:09:52 PM

stop staying he is not a family man, he is a basketball player and a competitor, he can be with his family the rest of his life. He only has a few years to win a championship. he is making 4 million less just to be with the lakers, he obviously doesn't want to squander his playing years playing for the worst team in the league

Posted by: Matt | Jul 16, 2012 9:25:22 PM

Yeah those Bobcats are hellraising for sure. Nonetheless, as Charlottean always points out, the cats never develop guys. Ammo is a pristine example of that. So, yea, if I want a ring, it's LA not CLT.

Posted by: altheus | Jul 16, 2012 9:25:31 PM

It want like he said I'm choosing cats because of my family. He said I'll think on it cz I still want a ring. Who can be mad at the dude that said it's 50/50 and just came out of the wizard, cavaliers madness.

Posted by: altheus | Jul 16, 2012 9:31:40 PM

Please PEOPLE please!! Jamison made the right choice.At this point in his career it's about the best chance to win a wring. Freak the BOBCATS ok. Yes he could have came home and played here and been closer to his kids but he's providing for his kids.Jamison can't play ball forever he still has time to be with his kids. We as fans get caught up just because you grow up in NC you don't have to be connected here and feel loyal to your STATE!! It's about doing what's best for you and your family and trust me playing for the LAKERS is way better than playing for the BOBPU$$$$Y

Posted by: THE TRUTH | Jul 16, 2012 9:38:42 PM

Could not care about him playing here. Just don't throw out the family line if you don't mean it.

"kids, I could work here and live at home for the same job and the same money, but I am going to LA without you on the unlikely chance that I win a ring as a bit player to validate my existence. Good luck in school. See you at Xmas. Oh, never mind. We play on Xmas. See you around"

Posted by: Spiderman | Jul 16, 2012 9:44:14 PM

jeeeeeeez... you're all idiots! Feigning knowledge if others lives and intentions from your drab, armchair castles... Get outside and get a life..

Posted by: cazuaga | Jul 16, 2012 9:44:57 PM

More fathers should move away from their kids taking the same line of work and the same money, that makes sense.

Posted by: Trex | Jul 16, 2012 9:52:20 PM

Look at all you haters...the man wants to win a ring, so he chose the right team. You all can only hope the Lakers don't win it again, but the squad is looking real nice, something you "cats" won't see for a very long time. Go Lakers!

Posted by: LakersWinHardware | Jul 16, 2012 10:01:26 PM

What is funny about this whole thing is now he is going to wind up with both fans hating him, Turning his back on Charlotte and down the road the fickle LA crowd will be downing him when the team does not win in the playoffs, poor decision for AJ, he will regret it once it has all played out.

Posted by: LoLLakersSuck | Jul 16, 2012 10:05:38 PM

So if he wants to win a ring why does he go to a team that has 0% chance of winning one, haha, this has got to be the biggest bonehead sign a player has ever made, works out good for the Bobcats though, they can go and sign a younger player with an upside and who actually plays Defense!

Hahahahaaaa he actually thinks the little laker boys can win a championship, hahahaaaa!!!

Posted by: Hahahaha | Jul 16, 2012 10:12:10 PM

man this is crazy what makes you thank his family want move with him. Plus this is this man life and if his family is cool with it then why are yall crying. D.A.M. lets be men about this. This is his life and he has a right to choose how he wants to live it. Half of yall crying about this man might not be taking care of your family. Get off the gas and let this man do what he wants. Oh yea who says the lakers want win. Are we now at the point where we can perdict whats going to happen? If thats the case please send me some quick picks numbers so I can win the lottery.

Posted by: arthur | Jul 16, 2012 10:59:50 PM

Oh yea if A.J. is such a loser why are yall crying about him playing in L.A. Whats so cold about I'm from texas and I'm happy for the guy.

Posted by: arthur | Jul 16, 2012 11:01:48 PM

I will bet you his salary his family doesn't move to LA. Life is about choices and his family just came in second.

Posted by: Trex | Jul 16, 2012 11:25:51 PM

You bobcats fans will never see or even win a championship at least players want to come to the lakers and try to get a championship,what does your shitty team and city have to offer.

Posted by: suck it | Jul 16, 2012 11:31:53 PM

Lakers making big moves. Our bench is the reason we couldn't beat OKC. San Antonio is old as shit. LA ain't worried about them. Now all we have to worry about the Miami. Lakers haters please stop because your team ain't as good as the Lakers. Kobe going for 6.

Posted by: LAL4 life | Jul 16, 2012 11:32:24 PM

After all these years of trying the Bobcats have finally put an expansion team roster together!

Posted by: joe cool | Jul 16, 2012 11:35:58 PM

I didn't think he was a good fit here, but the idea that he even suggested his family was a priority is silly. He'll now be a four-hour flight away from his kids, whom he claimed to be so concerned for.

If i was the Bobcats i wouldnt let that douche practice at TWC anymore. If he wanted a championship he should of went to OKC or Miami cause Lakers are not winning it. Also LMAO at Lakers fans talking crap about Bobcats we have have beat the Lakers 6 or 7 times in a row at Staples Center

Posted by: Fakers | Jul 17, 2012 12:10:00 AM

All these comments over jamison? seriously? let's revisit this next year. He's still too good to be a reserve on a young team.

Y'all gotta calm down and stop asking to sign mediocre free agents. Humphries is a solid player but why sign him? that in no way shape or form helps our franchise. Build through the draft means build through the draft. Let mullens have this year and target a 4 in this coming draft. Mcadoo seems about right. You sign humphries or jamison and you aren't winning championships, you're just losing draft position and taking playing time away from the youngns. The key is to get great talent on rookie scale and extend them. That's the only way a smaller market can afford to contend. You can't go overpaying overrated guys like brook lopez and expect positive results. That's what got us into this mess.

We started out right, we had felton, okafor, may, morrison, wallace. May and morrison got hurt, and we failed to develop felton and i guess we gave away okafor to facilitate the sale for jordan. Getting away from the gameplan set us back big time.

BE PATIENT

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 17, 2012 12:48:54 AM

Same thing with lebron. Leaving a chance to play in your hometown for a ring. They both obviously don't care about their hometowns or money.

Posted by: Randomguy | Jul 17, 2012 1:05:44 AM

Oh yeah almost forgot bobcats fuckin suck Hella bad at least the lakers can win more than 7 games hah

Posted by: Randomguy | Jul 17, 2012 1:09:01 AM

Lakers rings: 16. Bobcats: 0. Keep talking shit you little kitty cat fans lol Smh how can anyone with half a brain say he's not making a wise decision? And on top of that how can people really say the laker have a 0% chance of winning next season. Only the heat have more overall talent. Let me break it down for u, Kobe= arguably one of the top 3 players to ever play the game. Steve Nash= arguably one of the best facilitating PGs to ever play the game. Bynum (or Howard) = top 2 centers in the league right now, hands down... WorldPeace= one of the best defenders this generation has seen. Pau= top 5 PF on the league right now. People are saying we don't play defense. Kobe's been all nba defense 1st team 13 yrs, Bynum had a triple double in the playoffs recording 10 blocks in a game. Meta WP's defense speaks for itself. Oh and now we've added Jamison to the bench to help score... Damn lakers really suck lol.. Oh and how many allstate do the bobcat have?

Posted by: NickyG | Jul 17, 2012 1:22:10 AM

Allstars*

Posted by: NickyG | Jul 17, 2012 1:25:09 AM

How many hall of famers do the Charlotte organization have? haw many finals has your team been to?

Posted by: NickyG | Jul 17, 2012 1:33:49 AM

THE BOBCATS LMAO YALL SUCK AND WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER BE GOOD TILL MICHAEL JORDAN SELLS THE TEAM.ONLY THING KEEPING THAT TEAM ALICE IS US PAYING OUR CABLE BILLS.BOBCATS ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE TERRIBLE.JAMISONS DECISION WAS SMART AND HE WILL HELP US LAKERS AND U WILL ALL EAT YOUR WORDS.ONLY REASON WE LOST TO OKC WAS NOT ENOUGH OFFENSE ANTWAN AND NASH GOT US LA ALL DAY

Posted by: NCSTRANGLER | Jul 17, 2012 3:23:02 AM

Help us Lakers? This is cool. Didn't know Laker players were commentung here.

Are you friends with Jamison? Who is raising your kids?

Posted by: Trex | Jul 17, 2012 6:13:14 AM

If the only people who offered Jamison a contract were us, the Lakers and the Nets, the Lakers are the obvious choice if your primary motivation is a championship. The Lakers aren't going to get one - OKC is the best team in the West and will be for several years - but if those were his 3 options, LA was the the clear #1.

I would have liked to have him here, because anyone who has a clue about how to get the ball through that orange thing with a net hanging from it would be an improvement for a team that averaged 87 points a gane. But we are already a much better team from the one we saw 3 months ago. Bismack is getting much better, Kemba should thrive in this system, MK-G is going to be an All-Star and Haywood will take up space in the middle. We're not playoff-bound yet, but I think we've improved enough to win 25-30 games. We'll get another high draft pick and if Tyrus is still a bum, we can amnesty him next year and have lots of cap space. I think we can finally have hope again.

Posted by: J | Jul 17, 2012 8:10:55 AM

The 'Cats have BIGGER issues IF Kemba Walker doesn't improve his shooting! I've watched him play in the summer league games and shooting about 30% will NOT cut it in this league! At 5'-11", Kemba CANNOT shoot, and he still cannot get others involved, so what good is he?!? Let's assume Kemba continues to do the only thing that he can do, which is drive it to the basket...I see other NBA teams adjusting to that and taking that aspect of his game away from him TOO! I wish the best for Kemba, but it appears he's unwilling to work on important aspects of his game, which will lead to a quick exit from the starting line-up and eventually, the NBA. Go 'Cats!

Posted by: CLTfan | Jul 17, 2012 9:23:57 AM

All Jamison said was that it would be great to play here because his family was here. He never said he was coming. He just simply stated the positives of playing in Charlotte. This is no big deal, really it isn't. He had options, he choose the best option. Him not playing in front of his family for a year doesn't make him a bad parent or a trader. Jamison gave Providence and UNC fans great moments..No need to disrespect the guy for not picking the Bobcats. Let's get over this and move onto what we can control.

Posted by: Ed | Jul 17, 2012 10:40:35 AM

Rick, what's up with the rumors that the cats are going to amnesty Diop? Personally I'd rather they save it for Tyrus.

Posted by: apauldds | Jul 17, 2012 11:46:29 AM

So it looks like the Bobcats are down to Carl Landry. ESPN reports the Nets have offered 2 Years and $24M to Humphries...wow, that's a ton of money for that guy. That's almost Superstar money, way too much for Humphries, he is good, not great, but I guess Brooklyn need him more.

Carl Landry will be great, for the right price.

Posted by: RobC | Jul 17, 2012 11:49:15 AM

Are you guys kidding? The best road beef in the country is in LA. Bonnell can attest to that. Can't be messing around with that when your kids are around.

Now AJ can get his groove on in the city of Angels, while Mommy has to raise the kids.

You can forget Kris Humphries. He is going back to the Nets...ESPN announced. So I guess we are down to Landry

Posted by: Jon | Jul 17, 2012 1:20:25 PM

Another FA, playing on the emotions of the 'Cats.. Everyone saw this coming. AJ is better off with Lakers on this point of his career... going from wizards to cavs to 'cats (i.e losing team). At the end of your career your looking to WIN.. Duh.. I would go for Donte Green at PF (may have some upside).. For small market team it doesn't make sense to overpay for mid & low level talent..
Also 'cats aren't on the level of lakers, but with the right moves and luck.. who knows? It's Mike brown coaching, not phil..so championship might be hard

Posted by: El Toro | Jul 17, 2012 3:49:10 PM

i would love to see them at least entertain the idea of bringing anthony randolph in but i don't think he will ever materialize as a starter in this league. ton of talent wasted there.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 17, 2012 4:55:07 PM

If that Laker fan talking trash lives in North Carolina you have never won anything! Your a pathetic, weak, loser who needs to attach himself to a team that wins to soothe your inner child because you have never accomplished anything in your life! Your team is the Bobcats because you are a loser in the game of life as the Bobcats are losers in basketball! Embrace the truth!

Posted by: joe cool | Jul 17, 2012 6:48:42 PM

rob i don't know why in the world you want want landry or humphries or jamison. to win 5 more games and have a lower draft pick?

Our starting 5 tonight should be our starting 5 for the season (subbing hendo for taylor). pray they don't botch henderson's extension the way they have with everybody else. henderson is a keeper.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 17, 2012 7:01:23 PM

The lakers have more championships than the bobcats had wins last year. The bobcats are the biggest joke of a franchise in all of sports. It's funny reading how excited you guys are for the upcomIng season when you'll probably finish last, again. Nobody would choose to play for the laughing stock of the league, you fools

Posted by: Kgarzo | Jul 17, 2012 11:06:16 PM

Somebody get that psycho perv unemployed waterboy a job down at the bus station cleaning johns with 500 names and posting 99.9% of all the BS on these boards.

The new Chia Pet "do" on piggybank Newton looks like the same in his mug shots.

So glad we didn't amnesty Diop. Save that to use on Tyrus next summer.

Posted by: apauldds | Jul 18, 2012 2:21:07 PM

^^^ or not at all. It's great to have that as a chip in our pocket, but it is way more valuable to us to wait until his contract becomes tradeable. If he's in shape and positive and focused, he'll thrive in dunlaps system.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 18, 2012 4:04:27 PM

If we're deadset on bringing in a veteran 4, najera should be the guy. Cheap, familiar, plays balls to the wall. Good fit.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 18, 2012 10:33:52 PM

So we retract the 3 million qualifying contract for DBrown. I know the 3 games I will be attending next year (gave up season tickets despite 2 for 1 offer pathetic) Brooklyn, Indiana and wherever DBrown lands so I can watch them shove it up Jordan's arse as the Brits say.

Posted by: TrueBBallFan | Jul 19, 2012 11:50:28 AM

I'm not that mad about brown being let go....to me it's effed up they restricted him all this time. they should have known from draft day that he wasn't going to be back. I guess they were looking at the tyrus thomas amnesty thing seriously and once that deadline passed, they knew brown wasn't needed.

I could see him pulling a danny green for a contender this year. that game against the celtics last year was proof he can play at a high level in this league.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 19, 2012 2:39:38 PM

We will hear from him again when he is ready to retire. He will come home then, earn the veteran's minimum and do nothing for us.

Posted by: Scott B | Jul 20, 2012 11:31:18 AM

^^^ Which is what he should do. We benefit more that way, as does he.

Walker finally had a solid game as a point guard. Had a few obvious errors early, but played great the rest of the way. Really positive sign. You have to think of this as a 24 and under league and we have one of the best 24 and under teams. That does eventually translate if the band stays together and improves together.

Taylor is looking like a young bobby phills out there.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 20, 2012 12:54:27 PM

"Lost out?" Not signing Jamison is a victory, he's horrible. Jamison is without a doubt the worst defensive player in the league and the one that gives the least amount of effort. The competition isn't even close.

Posted by: daveh | Jul 20, 2012 8:08:15 PM

^^^ Taking it too far. Carmello will out not guard anybody in the league.

Tough pill to swallow today....we took kemba 9th and memphis took josh selby 49th. Mr. Walker shot 36% as a rookie and I'm not pannicking. He shoots 35% in summer league and I am absolutely pannicking. And we gave up on augustin for this guy. He has a brilliant game 1 in every 10 and the rest is garbage.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 20, 2012 8:52:22 PM

^^^Yeah if those circus shots had not went in last night, we are talking about what.. however he did play better but I think everyone did last night. As I said before I hope I am wrong but, I Don't see it! With Kemba this is "summer league" and the same?

Really So you are telling me a traing camp is going to change that much, so instead they condense the play book to accomodate who?? SUMMER LEAGUE, REALLY THE SAME!

Dunlap was not there, but who's coach was?

Looks like the officiating tonight was dejavu/2012(one sided) take your pick. No way we were going to go 5-0. up 10 1st and then the whistles start bitching! Classic Bobcats get some momentum and the refs. take the life right out of us! Did everyone see how we walked off the court shoulders sagging, everyone frustrated, classic 2011. We were far more talented than 7-59 bet your ass on that!
However I am not giving kemba that pass he is supposed to be the spark!!

CHARLOTTEAN,
great comparison Taylor and Phills.. Taylor not out there hurt us! Hunter looks like a keeper for someone.

Seriously though,
All the guys that are all energy, it is going to be hard for us not to be competitive every night whether the ref.s like it or not!

I had totally forgotten about "the Beast" Naherja! If! he is OK, pretty serious deal he went through! Naherja, the definition of Energy Himself!!!!

Posted by: David Stern has to go!! | Jul 20, 2012 11:59:03 PM

I am so SORRY big man....Eduardo NAJERA!!

Posted by: David Stern has to go!! | Jul 21, 2012 12:01:59 AM

What was idiotic about that? I hope you meant your forgetting.

he's an ideal veteran 4 for this kind of team. 1 Year and he retires. Jamison and other guys don't fit because their careers are still going. They're too good for spot duty. And they damn sure don't want to press.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 22, 2012 10:21:58 AM

I was agreeing with you, I was calling myself an idiot!
Yes I had forgot about Naherja!

Posted by: David Stern has to go!! | Jul 22, 2012 2:35:40 PM

Haha, I had too until I read someone saying 4 teams were showing interest.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 23, 2012 1:20:33 AM

Damn they give kemba (and about 15 others) summer league all star nods, but not morrison. World is cold to that dude. He just shot the absolute lights out of the ball in vegas. Outside of selby, there wasn't a better offensive player. I know I'm usually one saying he could of or would have if....... there's no if with this. He's an nba player. Could have been elite with the right experience and coach. Could have been great. Here.

Proof that marketing is real. Label a guy a bust and there's no shaking it off.

Posted by: charlottean | Jul 23, 2012 2:07:27 AM

Sign Adam now...he's now ready for showtime in Charlotte...second time is a charm!

Posted by: Detlef Schremp | Jul 23, 2012 4:58:39 PM

not after drafting MKG and taylor.

it made perfect sense to bring the guy back LAST YEAR. not now. Phoenix would be a good fit (and keep him healthy) behind and along with beasley. Minny since batum didn't happen. Dallas since they depleted all their talent. Orlando once they blow it up and make someone take hedo. Houston if they give everybody away to get howard or bynum or something.

There are a ton of teams that DO NOT have a scorer of his caliber. We're one, but you just can't justify drafting 2 small forwards and then bringing him back too late.